Safe with God

Shall I look to the mountains gods for help? No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too! He will never let me stumble, slip or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping.

Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.

Psalm 121:1-8 (TLB)

Elaine M. Brown lives in Scotland. Ever since her teenage years, Psalm 121 has been important to her. At boarding school it was read to them on the last morning of each term. Verse eight was especially meaningful: "The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in" (NRSVUE). Because they were associated with the excitement of going home, those words came to have happy connotations for Elaine.

Psalm 121 was also the psalm her husband and Elaine chose for their wedding service a few years later. Such joyous, reassuring words as they set out into their new life together! God's promise "The LORD is your keeper" steadied them many times over the years that followed, particularly when they lived in a remote area overseas.

Now Elaine is a senior citizen. Her husband and one son have already gone ahead of her to be with the Lord, and she is finding Psalm 121 more valuable than ever. Sometimes a challenge seems too big for her to handle now, but then Elaine hears God's gentle reminder, "I will keep your heart safe," and her anxiety is eased. God has kept Elaine through the years - and always will.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we entrust ourselves to you. Whatever happens, thank you for keeping us safe in your presence, in Jesus' name. Amen.